Christmas With A Crown (2020)

[bunniefuu]

[ film reel spooling up ]

[♪♪♪]

WOMAN:
Hey.

I'm just in the limo on
the way to the airport.

Don't you think this is
a little much, Ethan?

ETHAN:
Oh, come on.

You're worth it.

I showed the partners your
proposal, and they

loved your design.

They want you
back permanently.

WOMAN:
Are you serious?

ETHAN:
They want you back at
the Manhattan office

right after the New Year.

WOMAN:
Wow, that's so soon.

ETHAN:
Well, they're eager
for you to get started.

So why don't you take a
couple of days, and then

you can figure out what you
need to do to get

back here quicker.

Then we can make some plans.

That sound good?

WOMAN:
That's great.

That is totally great.

ETHAN:
Ah, I knew
you'd be excited!

This is such an excellent
opportunity for us.

I am so proud of
you, sweetheart.

WOMAN:
Thank you.

ETHAN:
And with the pay raise,
we can afford that

place on the Upper West Side
that you've been

loving so much.

Honey, I know we've
only been official for

three months, but if this isn't
the universe telling us

we're on the right track,
I don't know what is.

WOMAN:
Uh, Ethan, I'm just,
I'm not sure that I could...

ETHAN:
Okay, I gotta run.

You have a safe flight.

I'll talk to you soon.

WOMAN:
Okay.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Oh it's Christmas.

♪ Oh it's Christmas.

♪ Oh oh oh oh

[♪♪♪]

WOMAN:
Hello?

MAN:
Hello.

WOMAN:
Hello?

MAN:
[chuckles]

Cassie.

You look great, sweetheart.

CASSIE:
Hi, Dad.

WALT:
Oh, it's so
good to see you.

I missed you, kiddo.

CASSIE:
I missed you too.

The last few weeks it's all
I could think about

is coming home.

WALT:
Well has work
been that hard?

CASSIE:
No.

No.

It's a great
job, it's just...

Um...

WALT:
So you remember
that old Aberthany place.

It's for sale now.

You know that one that you
had your eyes on

all the time?

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

WALT:
Now that you're back,
it's perfect timing.

CASSIE:
Speaking of perfect
timing, how are the plans for

the Winter Festival coming?

WALT:
Um...

Uh, Cassie.

[sighs]

We're not doing the
Winter Festival.

CASSIE:
Dad!

WALT:
I'm sorry.

I just didn't have
the heart to call you.

CASSIE:
But it's tradition.

[♪♪♪]

[door rattling]

MAN:
Your highness!

Blast.

Reginald!

REGINALD:
Is that you
making all that racket?

MAN:
Yes, it is.

REGINALD:
At this hour?

Really, Arthur, it's
entirely unorthodox.

This is a place of
decorum, not disruption.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

You don't understand.

The prince is...

REGINALD:
Probably sleeping
and doesn't appreciate you

galavanting about shouting
all through the halls.

ARTHUR:
That may be
correct if he were here.

REGINALD:
Pardon?

ARTHUR:
That's what I've
been trying to tell you.

The prince is...

missing.

REGINALD:
Missing?

He can't be missing.

What about the coronation?

ARTHUR:
The coronation
is not our only problem.

REGINALD:
What do you mean?

ARTHUR:
Someone's going
to have to tell her.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Yeah, why don't you
put the taller one

in the back?

There we go.

Perfect.

And put the smaller
one up here.

WOMAN:
Mmhmm.

CASSIE:
Nice.

And then this one you can put
on the other side behind

the glass ball.

I think it'll really
balance it out nice.

Perfect.

WOMAN:
Yeah?

CASSIE:
Mmhmm.

Looks great.

WOMAN:
So good
to have you home.

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

Oh, thank you.

It's good to be home.

WOMAN:
[chuckles]

CASSIE:
It does
look pretty nice.

WOMAN:
Yeah.

I only wish your
mom could see it.

CASSIE:
Me too.

WOMAN:
Your displays always
draw the biggest crowds.

And it's not bad
for business either.

WOMAN:
She's right, you know.

CASSIE:
Hey!

How are you, Madison?

David.

DAVID:
Cassie, welcome home!

CASSIE:
Thank you!

[gasps]

Is this...?

Oh my goodness, look at you!

I cannot believe
how big she is!

MADISON:
I know.

I can't believe how
the time's gone?

CASSIE:
Do you remember me?

DAVID:
How could she forget
her favorite aunt from

New York?

GIRL:
Mama.

CASSIE:
Yes, that is your
mama, you are correct.

MADISON:
Unfortunately
we can't stay.

We've got to go.

DAVID:
But you gotta
come over real soon.

CASSIE:
Yeah!

DAVID:
Tell us all
about New York.

CASSIE:
That would be great.

Bye bye!

MADISON:
Bye!

CASSIE:
Good to see you.

WOMAN:
Bye!

CASSIE:
See you.

Oh my gosh, they're so cute.

WOMAN:
I know, adorable.

Now, you help yourself
to anything you want.

On the house.

CASSIE:
Okay.

WOMAN:
[chuckles]

CASSIE:
So, dad.

What'll it be?

WALT:
[laughing]

You're going to have to
explain the

holiday drinks again.

WOMAN:
Definitely.

So the Holiday Latte comes
in a medium and a small,

and then there's a
Christmas Latte which only

comes in a large.

CASSIE:
What is
the difference?

WOMAN:
Um...

WOMAN:
Nutmeg, maybe?

WOMAN:
Yeah.

CASSIE:
You know, I'm
just gonna let you decide.

WALT:
[chuckles]

[phone chiming]

WALT:
Who's Ethan?

CASSIE:
Hmm?

WALT:
Well, on your
phone just now.

Gentleman caller, maybe?

CASSIE:
Dad, please.

No, it's someone from work.

WALT:
Oh, oh.

Well, I thought you
were done with New York.

CASSIE:
You know what,
enough about me.

What are these errands
you're supposed to be doing?

WALT:
I'm getting
my morning mocha.

CASSIE:
Mmhmm.

WALT:
Which is the most
important meal of the day.

CASSIE:
Oh boy.

WALT:
And then I'm going to go and
meet Melinda at the library.

CASSIE:
You're volunteering again?

WALT:
I do it for
the free books.

CASSIE:
You do know that
they're all free, right?

MAN:
Of course I know.

CASSIE:
It's a library.

That's how this works.

This is your most
important meal of the day?

WALT:
Looks good,
thank you very much.

WOMAN:
Of course.

CASSIE:
Surprised.

Thank you.

Dad, I want to talk to you
about the Winter Festival.

WALT:
Oh, Cassie.

CASSIE:
No no, I know.

But it's almost Christmas,
and it just doesn't feel

right without it.

WALT:
I know honey, but it was
a lot of work, even before

your mother passed.

Times have changed.

Things are different.

Sometimes it's
better to move on.

CASSIE:
I know, but it
wasn't just a festival.

It was Christmas.

I mean seeing the whole town
get together knowing that Mom

was a huge part of it?

Just, those are some
of my best memories.

WALT:
Well, mine too, honey.

But it just got harder and
harder to pull together.

It took everything your
mother had just to give us

that one last Christmas.

And without her on the
Festival Committee

I really don't...

CASSIE:
No, Dad,
we can do it.

We need to do it, because if
we don't do it, this'll be

the first year that
it hasn't happened.

How does that feel?

WALT:
Well, things don't
always work out, kid.

You know, life's
not a fairy tale.

CASSIE:
But what if it was?

WALT:
[laughing]

What if it was?

[laughing]

[♪♪♪]

MARY:
I will
not accept that.

This is how it has always
been and how it will

always be.

REGINALD:
I just thought,
your Highness, that if you

could postpone the Royal
Christmas Ball until after

the prince returned
to the castle.

MARY:
We can't postpone
the Royal Christmas Ball,

Reginald.

It must be on Christmas Day.

It's tradition.

The Varovian Royal Family has
observed this practice for

centuries, and once more, it
is Nicholas' th year and

you know the significance
that has on the proceedings.

REGINALD:
Yes, Ma'am, of course.

MARY:
And you!

I don't understand.

How could he just go missing?

You're his attendant.

How can you attend him when
you don't even know

where he is?

ARTHUR:
We've been
trying, your Highness.

It appears his telephone
has been switched off, and a

search of his quarters gives
no indication, exactly,

of where he may be.

MARY:
Try harder.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

MARY:
It's absolutely
crucial to Crown and Country

that Nicholas is here for the
coronation on Christmas Day.

REGINALD:
Yes, Ma'am.

ARTHUR:
Yes, Ma'am.

MARY:
Don't disappoint me.

REGINALD:
[sighs]

[♪♪♪]

[card rustling]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Hey!

WOMAN:
Oh, Cassie!

It's so good to see you!

CASSIE:
I missed you!

And I missed this place.

WOMAN:
Oh, well,
have a look around.

You must be so glad
to have her back home.

WALT:
Oh, you bet.

It's very nice.

[♪♪♪]

WALT:
[chuckles]

You know, you can do that
with computers these days,

Melinda.

CASSIE:
Dad.

MELINDA:
I prefer to do
it the old fashioned way.

WALT:
Oh, well.

A lot of that
going around today.

CASSIE:
Don't even.

MELINDA:
Hmm?

WALT:
Never mind.

I ran into the
mailman on the way in.

Here you go.

There.

[♪♪♪]

WALT:
Oh, it's here?

MELINDA:
Yeah.

Can I talk to
you for a minute?

WALT:
You bet.

Cassie?

Do you mind if Melinda
and I have just a minute.

CASSIE:
Sure, yeah.

WALT:
'Kay.

CASSIE:
Is there anything I
could maybe help you with

in the meantime?

MELINDA:
Well, actually,
do you mind?

CASSIE:
Nope.

[laughing]

I got it.

MELINDA:
'Kay.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Encyclopedia
of Aquatic Animals.

Is that reference
or is that wildli...

[thud]

CASSIE:
Oh my gosh!

MAN:
My book!

CASSIE:
[scoffs]

I think you should be
apologizing, or like

"Hey, I'm sorry, you're
not hurt, are you?"

MAN:
You're clearly not hurt.

CASSIE: Well, you
don't know that.

MAN:
You're complaining about
formalities rather than pain.

You're not hurt.

CASSIE:
Okay, excuse me, but
at least you could apologize

for all this.

MAN:
You should have watched
where you were going.

CASSIE:
You bumped into me.

MAN:
Certainly not.

It's you who bumped into me.

CASSIE:
No, you couldn't even
see that I had a stack of

books, because you were
reading and not paying

attention.

MAN:
And?

Don't you work here?

It's your job to
pay attention.

I'm the patron and the
patron's always right.

CASSIE:
Okay.

I'm sorry.

First of all, who says...
Please don't touch that.

MAN:
Thank you!

CASSIE:
What?

MAN:
You know what?

Let this be a lesson in
committing to a task and the

importance of taking
responsibility

for one's work.

Good day, and good luck.

[thud]

[♪♪♪]

[typing]

REGINALD:
Any luck?

ARTHUR:
No.

I've tried everything.

Calling, emailing, texting.

REGINALD:
Make no mistake.

The prince's absence also
reflects poorly on you.

Even if the prince returns in
time, the job that may still

be in jeopardy is yours.

ARTHUR:
But... but-but-but
wait, wait, wait.

My family has served the
[indistinct] Home for

generations.

It's my duty to one day be
the right hand of the king.

REGINALD:
Correction.

The right hand of
the would-be-king.

Who's currently missing.

Missing on your watch.

ARTHUR:
Reginald...

REGINALD:
It's not negotiable.

Both your future and the
Crown's depends on it.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

MELINDA:
Merry Christmas.

MAN:
Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
[sighs]

MELINDA:
Oh, trouble reshelving?

CASSIE:
No.

Um, who is that guy that
you were just helping?

MELINDA:
I don't know,
a tourist?

CASSIE:
A tourist
in Wintervale?

For what?

MELINDA:
Why?

You interested?

CASSIE:
Hardly.

Why is everyone so
interested in my love life?

It is honestly the
last thing on my mind.

I just wanted to know if
you knew what he wanted.

MELINDA:
Well, he took out
a book on town history.

Didn't have the proper ID, so
I had to write down his room

and phone number at the BnB.

So he could bring
the book back.

Not that it matters.

You sure you're
not interested?

CASSIE:
Yeah, I'm positive.

We just had a run-in
in the stacks.

It was less than pleasant.

I was just curious if
you knew what he wanted.

Wait, what do you mean,
not that it matters?

WALT:
I think we should
tell her, Melinda.

CASSIE:
Tell me what?

MELINDA:
The letter
we received earlier?

The allotment of funding
for the library

has been cut in half.

CASSIE:
What does that mean?

WALT:
Well it means that if
the library doesn't find an

alternate form of funding,
we're going to have to close.

[paper crinkles]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
What are
you gonna do?

MELINDA:
Well, there's
nothing we can do.

The town's resources
are pushed to the limit.

And any grants we could apply
for wouldn't arrive until

well after we need them.

CASSIE:
Okay, you can't
just close the library.

MELINDA:
We don't
have a choice.

Unless you're in the business
of miracles, this Christmas

is probably going
to be our last one.

[♪♪♪]

[snow crunching]

[phone ringing]

MAN:
[sighs]

[phone ringing out]

NICHOLAS:
Hello?

ARTHUR:
You answered.

NICHOLAS:
Of course I answered.

Why wouldn't I?

ARTHUR:
Where are you?

Everyone in the
palace is worried.

And your mother is insistent
you return at once.

NICHOLAS:
Where I am
is of no concern.

I'm an adult.

I'm allowed to
go out on my own.

ARTHUR:
And you're
also a prince.

Which comes with certain
expectation of protocol.

You could at least tell
someone where you're going.

Now.

You must return to
the palace at once.

The Royal Christmas Ball...

NICHOLAS:
Is just another
ceremony in a long line

of many.

There will be more occasions
to show off the palace.

ARTHUR:
But sir...

NICHOLAS:
I had to do this.

For me.

As a reminder of what
Christmas is actually about.

ARTHUR:
Prince Nicholas.

The Ball.

NICHOLAS:
Can wait.

Goodbye, Arthur.

REGINALD:
Well?

ARTHUR:
I'm not saying we
should panic, but...

we should panic.

REGINALD:
[sighs]

[♪♪♪]

[door squeaks]

[door shuts]

♪ Light up the stockings.

♪ Hang the mistletoe.

♪ Gonna let the magic out.

♪ 'Cause it flows
wherever you go. ♪

♪ Light all the candles.

♪ Brighten up
the night. ♪

♪ I can feel my
heart is burning. ♪

♪ And I know it's just
a matter of time. ♪

♪ It's Christmas.

♪ Oh-oh-oh,
it's Christmas. ♪

♪ And miracles happen
at Christmas. ♪

WOMAN:
Hi, Sarah.

The usual?

SARAH:
No, just swinging
by with some news.

The library's in danger of
closing, and they're trying

to call a town meeting
there tonight to save it.

WOMAN:
Closing this
close to Christmas?

SARAH:
I know, right?

WOMAN:
That's terrible.

WOMAN:
If they need
anything, just let me know.

SARAH:
Try to ome if you can.

WOMAN:
They'll probably
need some coffee.

[♪♪♪]

MELINDA:
Alright everyone,
take your seats, please.

Thank you so much for coming
and supporting the library.

WALT:
Hi folks.

I just really don't know
what we're going to do.

MELINDA:
The town's
resources are finite.

Maybe an outside benefactor?

WOMAN:
This close
to Christmas?

I think even the most
charitable folks are pretty

tapped out by now.

WALT:
Well, maybe we can make
an appeal to the government?

MELINDA:
Well I think,
like the first option,

the holidays are going to
complicate that as everyone

is probably already on break.

CASSIE:
What if the
holidays are the answer?

MELINDA:
What do
you mean, dear?

CASSIE:
Well you said earlier
today that you needed

a Christmas miracle.

MELINDA:
Mmhmm.

CASSIE:
And the holidays keep
coming up, so what if

the miracle is actually
Christmas itself?

WALT:
I'm not following.

CASSIE:
This could be a great
time to bring back the

Winter Festival.

WALT:
Cassie!

CASSIE:
No no,
hear me out, Dad.

I mean, everybody,
hear me out.

Cassie, by the way.

The Winter Festival always
brought the entire

community together.

Games, wears, treats.

Everybody put forth their
best to make it more loving,

more fun.

And the economy
definitely did not suffer.

I mean the idea of
togetherness, it really

reminded us of what the
holidays are all about.

MELINDA:
Oh, yes.

Lovely times.

What does that have to
do with the library?

CASSIE:
Well, think of this.

What if the Winter Festival
became the Winter Fundraiser.

MELINDA:
Oh, yeah, go on.

CASSIE:
Okay, great.

We can take the money from
the different activities

and put it right back
into the library.

And when you think about it,
it makes sense, because we're

using our own traditions to
preserve our town's history.

WALT:
That's not a bad idea.

But it took your mom
months of planning.

I mean we're a week and some
change out from Christmas.

It's going to be an
uphill battle, Cassie.

CASSIE:
Dad, I know.

I know.

I know.

Time is not on our side.

But I mean come on, dad.

It's Christmas.

It's Christmas!

That's what this entire
holiday is about.

It's taking what's impossible
and making it possible.

This is exactly
the right answer.

I can feel it.

WOMAN:
I hate to say it, but
this close to the holidays,

I can't take time
away from my store.

CASSIE:
Of course.

SARAH:
I'll spread the
word all over town.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

MAN:
I can
contribute a little.

Just, the timeline.

WOMAN:
I could set up a
donation box, but I can't

take on a project
of this size.

Your mom worked months
to pull this off.

DAVID:
We're leaving
in the morning.

MADISON:
We'll do what we
can when we get back, but.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Anyone?

Come on.

There's got to be someone.

WALT:
It was a
lovely idea, Cassie.

NICHOLAS:
I'll do it.

CASSIE:
Excuse me?

NICHOLAS:
Uh, I volunteer
for the Winter Festival.

CASSIE:
Uh, who are you?

NICHOLAS:
I'm Nicholas.

I'm visiting.

Hey.

CASSIE:
No no, this is a
meeting for residents

of the town only.

NICHOLAS:
I'd love
to get involved.

CASSIE:
What does
that even mean?

NICHOLAS:
You can't do this
yourself, and you know, based

on the organizational skills
I saw earlier today,

you're going to need all the
help you can get, right?

[chuckles]

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

Are you being
serious right now?

NICHOLAS:
More than
you'll ever know.

CASSIE:
Okay.

My mother built this
from the ground up.

This Festival is about
kindness and community, and

I would rather do it on my
own than work with you.

NICHOLAS:
You don't even know me.

CASSIE:
I'm pretty sure
you've made yourself known.

I don't need your help.

NICHOLAS:
Okay.

CASSIE:
Mmhmm.

NICHOLAS:
Suit yourself.

CASSIE:
Great.

WALT:
Cassie, what
was that about?

CASSIE:
It's nothing.

It's a long story.

MELINDA:
Well so
much for that idea.

What are we going to do?

CASSIE:
Melinda.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
I am going
to make this happen.

I'm going to make it for
you, for the library.

For my mom.

You want a Christmas miracle,
I will figure this out.

WALT:
Well, I think this
is the last of them.

CASSIE:
Whoo!

Good.

I do not think my back could
handle another trip

to the attic.

WALT:
Your back?

CASSIE:
[giggles]

WALT:
Well, she sure
kept meticulous records.

CASSIE:
Mmhmm.

WALT:
You know the Winter
Fest, that was her baby.

Present company
excluded of course.

But this is something
that she just loved to do.

CASSIE:
Well, the Winter
Festival was special

to you too.

I mean you could
have kept it going.

WALT:
I would have just
missed her too much.

CASSIE:
Why didn't
you say that before?

WALT:
Um, I don't know.

Um...

I guess because parents don't
always have it all figured

out despite what their
kids might think.

[laughing]

CASSIE:
Okay.

I actually figured that out
the first time that you made

a gingerbread with me and you
couldn't get the smoke alarm

to go off for the first hour.

WALT:
[laughing]

I still maintain that that
was because of

a faulty battery.

CASSIE:
Mmm.

WALT:
I'm sorry I
resisted you on this.

I avoided the Winter Festival
because I missed your mom.

But I know that that's why
you were drawn to it,

for the same reason.

CASSIE:
I miss her too.

I mean she always had a plan.

Right now I don't have
anything figured out.

WALT:
Well, your mom
didn't always have a plan.

But she could
make things work.

She did a lot of
traveling as a student.

Actually it was
when she was abroad.

That's when she first came
up with the

Winter Festival idea.

CASSIE:
Really?

WALT:
Oh yeah.

She used to see all these
different people that would

adhere to all these
traditions, but they somehow

just didn't seem to have the
enthusiasm about it that she

thought they should, and
so she wanted to create

something that people would
just want to do and get

involved with
year after year.

CASSIE:
I know I did.

WALT:
Me too.

Your mom would be
honored to know that

you're doing this.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

Hold that fanfare, because I
don't even know if I can

pull this off.

WALT:
We'll figure
it out together.

CASSIE:
Cheers.

[cart rattling]

REGINALD:
The prince has
been contacted, my Lady.

ARTHUR:
But he won't be
returning immediately.

MARY:
You talked to him.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

MARY:
But he's
not coming home.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

MARY:
Well did you tell
him that I want him home?

REGINALD:
That was communicated
to the prince,

my Lady.

MARY:
I see.

Does he remember
that I am the Queen?

REGINALD:
I'm certain he's aware.

[chuckles]

But with due respect, my
Lady, he is also a prince

and it is a tendency of the
crown to do as it pleases.

MARY:
True, true.

Perhaps I've raised him
just a little bit too well.

Be that as it may.

You've talked to him.

Which means you can find him.

And you can bring him home.

ARTHUR:
Might you have any
specific suggestions on how

we do that?

MARY:
Yes.

You do it quickly.

ARTHUR:
Thank you.

REGINALD:
Do what
you have to do.

ARTHUR:
Must I?

Oh.

CASSIE:
Hey, yeah.

I need full sized
Christmas trees.

And is there any chance
you'd be willing to donate?

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Hi, yeah.

I was wondering how much
fruit cake is actually

in a fruit cake unit?

Oh.

Wow.

That is, that's a
lot of fruit cake.

People actually buy that?

No.

The mistletoe is
not for eating.

Hello?

Oh, come on.

Oh.

Hey, I'm so sorry.

I think we got cut off.

But boughs of holly will be
no problem what so ever

if you don't have
mistletoe in a pinch.

ETHAN:
What are
you talking about?

CASSIE:
Ethan?

ETHAN:
What's with all
the Christmas talk?

Boughs of holly?

Are you serious?

CASSIE:
Oh yeah.

I'm just getting into
the Christmas spirit.

ETHAN:
Why?

We don't even like Christmas.

CASSIE:
You don't
like Christmas.

I love everything about it.

ETHAN:
Oh my God,
you are so cute.

Hey, listen.

They want to move the
presentation up to the th.

CASSIE:
But, that's,
um... That's Christmas Eve.

ETHAN:
I know.

But we are one step closer
to that big promotion.

And, even better, we get to
spend New Years together.

CASSIE:
Yeah, you know what?

Yes.

Um, I gotta get going though.

I just, I got a lot to do.

ETHAN:
Yeah, right.

Okay, I'll call you later.

CASSIE:
Okay, great.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
[sighs]

[papers rustling]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Hi, I was just
wondering how much for

twelve dozen?

No, twelve...

[chuckles]

Yeah, I know what a dozen
is but I need of those.

[traffic whirring]

[door squeaking]

CASSIE:
Yeah, I just was, if
I could just get dozen.

And could you drop
those off this week?

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
[sighs]

[phone clacks]

NICHOLAS:
Problem?

CASSIE:
[groans]

She laughed and hung up.

Oh, it's you.

NICHOLAS:
[grunts]

[sniffs]

[sighs]

CASSIE:
I don't think I
asked you to sit down.

NICHOLAS:
No, you didn't.

Did you?

CASSIE:
Do you just kind
of do whatever you want?

NICHOLAS:
I have been accused
of that a time or two, yeah.

You want to talk about it?

CASSIE:
Talk about what?

NICHOLAS:
Whatever that was?

CASSIE:
That was a, um...

Boutique bakery that normally
does large pastry orders for

the Festival but because
they normally get months in

advance and I've asked them
too close to Christmas...

NICHOLAS:
They laughed in your face.

CASSIE:
Thank you for
reminding me about

what just happened.

NICHOLAS:
So, what
are we gonna do?

CASSIE:
[sighs]

I don't know.

The clock is running out
and the closer it gets to

Christmas the harder
it's gonna get.

I just think that maybe
Dad and Melinda were right.

NICHOLAS:
Okay, so the
cookies can't be

bought in time.

But what if they
could be made?

CASSIE:
Are you crazy?

I cannot possibly make
extra cookies and, and do

everything I need to do.

NICHOLAS:
Maybe you can't,
but we can.

CASSIE:
Absolutely not.

I told you last night.

NICHOLAS:
What is your
issue with me helping you?

CASSIE:
Because you're rude.

And you're arrogant.

To start with.

NICHOLAS:
And, I'm the only
chance that you've got.

You can't do this alone.

CASSIE:
I have my dad.

I've got my dad.

NICHOLAS:
Okay, you've
said it yourself.

You're up against
the clock, right?

And if you want to make this
festival happen, you need

all the help you can get.

We can do this!

Together.

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

Can I just ask you why?

NICHOLAS:
Why what?

CASSIE:
Why do you even care?

You're not from here.

I mean what is the
Winter Festival to you?

NICHOLAS:
Okay.

I come from a place where
tradition is strictly

observed but often simply
because that's the way

it's always been.

This, this...

feels like it has purpose.

I like that.

CASSIE:
That was a
very insightful answer.

NICHOLAS:
Nicholas.

CASSIE:
Nicholas?

Yeah, I guess we haven't
been formally introduced.

NICHOLAS:
Not in the
traditional sense, no.

But you have made
quite the impression.

CASSIE:
Ah, Cassandra.

Cassie.

People call me Cassie.

NICHOLAS:
Ah, Cassie.

What do you say?

CASSIE:
I would say
let's get to work.

NICHOLAS:
Great.

WALT:
So, what made
you change your mind?

CASSIE:
I don't know.

I'm still not convinced
it wasn't a total lapse of

judgement on my part.

WALT:
[chuckles]

Well, I for one think it's
nice that he's helping out.

CASSIE:
Dad, you're
supposed to be on my side.

WALT:
I am on your side!

But I, I think that it's
great that he's volunteering

to help you.

That's what makes
me like him.

CASSIE:
Yeah, but
don't get too attached.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
[grunts]

[♪♪♪]

[ornaments jangle]

CASSIE:
What is happening?

NICHOLAS:
This tinsel's not working.

CASSIE:
What do you
mean it's not working?

NICHOLAS:
Well, I showed
up early to help Melinda

decorate, and she put me
in charge of this tree.

CASSIE:
I, uh, yeah.

I see.

And what's the problem?

NICHOLAS:
Well, I'm trying to get
it on here, but it won't seem

to stay properly.

It's like it's got
a mind of its own.

CASSIE:
Have you never
decorated a tree before?

Or used tinsel?

NICHOLAS:
No, I've, I've
used tinsel, thank you.

I've seen it done.

CASSIE:
Okay, okay,
you know what?

Why don't you just step
aside, and let me fix it.

NICHOLAS:
You don't need to...

CASSIE:
It's only one tree,
so it'll be minimal damage.

[♪♪♪]

MELINDA:
What happened to this tree?

NICHOLAS:
Is there a problem?

MELINDA:
I only gave you one job.

And you have hot
chocolate in the library.

It clearly states
on the sign...

WALT:
Nicholas, why don't you
just step over here with me.

NICHOLAS:
Sorry.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Okay, break
it to me gently.

It wasn't that bad, was it?

WALT:
Well.

[laughing]

So, Melinda tells me that you
checked out a book here on

Wintervail's history.

NICHOLAS:
Wow, no secrets
around here, huh?

WALT:
No, no.

It's a small town.

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, yeah.

I did.

WALT:
Well of all the books
here, how come that one?

I mean, not that I'm not
flattered on behalf

of the town.

NICHOLAS:
Honestly I was just
looking for more information

on the Festival.

WALT:
Oh?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, it's kind
of the reason I came here.

WALT:
You travelled here
for the Winter Festival.

I-I-I didn't know that
anybody knew about it

outside the area.

NICHOLAS:
Oh yeah, no,
don't be so modest.

I mean, it got a nice
bit of attention.

I think there was even a
magazine article that

called it "one of the Eastern
seaboard's finest

Christmas celebration"?

WALT:
That's right.

I recall.

Yeah.

But, but that was years ago.

You must have
just been a child.

And, I don't know of any
children that read

travel periodicals.

NICHOLAS:
No, I guess not.

I mean, I guess I was just
captivated with the story

of this place.

I mean, it's so different
than where I grew up.

And I kind of wanted
to see it, just once.

WALT:
So you came all
that way for this?

NICHOLAS:
My family's in business.

And so much of our lives are
centered around the details

and the protocol that
comes along with that.

Moments that were purely
sentimental were few

and far between.

I mean, based on the
articles, the importance of

sentiment and taking those
moments seemed to be what

the Festival was all about.

And so yeah, I guess I came
here to find that and just

see a real Christmas.

WALT:
Where did you say
you were from again?

NICHOLAS:
There's a little
patch of land nestled between

the Swiss Alps
and the North Sea.

Oh.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Hi.

Yeah.

Yes, it's me again.

I was just wondering if you
have any Christmas trees

that...

No, you're still sold out.

Okay.

Yes.

'Kay.

How can we have a Winter
Festival without

Christmas trees?

NICHOLAS:
Is there anything
I can do to help?

CASSIE:
Unless you can grow
trees in the next days,

I don't think we're going to
have any Christmas trees

for the Winter Festival.

This is a disaster.

We can't even find Christmas
trees at Christmas, and the

one three that we do have
we can barely decorate.

NICHOLAS:
Well frankly, I'm
just glad I'm not the only

one having tree
related problems.

CASSIE:
Woah woah woah.

The reason that that tree
fell over is because you went

and clumped tinsel into these
branches, and frankly,

I don't even know
how that happened.

NICHOLAS:
It seemed like
a practical approach.

CASSIE:
Well, I'm
so... 'kay, woah.

Christmas is not
about practicality.

It's about feeling!

NICHOLAS:
Let's not
knock practicality.

Rules and structure all
the hallmarks of success.

CASSIE:
And how did that
go for you with the tree?

NICHOLAS:
Sometimes there's
trial and error.

But I don't think charging
ahead without a plan is

necessarily a recipe
for success either.

WALT:
I know neither of you
want any advice from me,

but how come it has to be
one way or another?

CASSIE:
What are you saying?

WALT:
Good planning is always
a mixture of practicality

and feeling.

CASSIE:
Of course.

We've been going
about this all wrong.

Rather than charging ahead
and tackling everything

at once, we should be
dividing and conquering.

Using our strengths.

Like Nicholas has already
proven that he overthinks

most tasks.

NICHOLAS:
And Cassie's good
with leading with her heart,

and not her mind.

CASSIE:
And normally, I
would be offended by that.

I think.

But, you're right.

Which means our differences
is what's actually going to

make this happen.

NICHOLAS:
How so?

CASSIE:
I am formulating a plan.

I just need to think.

And maybe take the
tinsel out of my hair.

Why don't we meet at
Dad's later on today?

[door shutting]

CASSIE:
I will stay and talk
to Melinda to make sure she

is over the tree incident.

NICHOLAS:
And I will duck out
for that exact same reason.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

I will apologize for you.

NICHOLAS:
Thanks.

CASSIE:
Yeah.

Okay.

WALT:
That's good, sweetie.

CASSIE:
It is, it's great.

It's great.

I'm gonna grab this.

I'm gonna grab this.

WALT:
I think you're
on the right path.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

Thank you!

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Oh, geez,
I'm so sorry...

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Arthur!

ARTHUR:
Your Highness!

I found you.

NICHOLAS:
What are
you doing here!?

ARTHUR:
Well, I thought
that would be obvious,

your highness.

I'm here to bring you home.

NICHOLAS:
How?

What?

Why?

ARTHUR:
Yes, which of those
questions would you like me

to answer first?

NICHOLAS:
Okay.

First thing's first.

How did you find me?

ARTHUR:
Do you remember when
we spoke on the telephone?

NICHOLAS:
Yes.

ARTHUR:
Yes, well.

Since you answered, we used
the GPS on your phone

to find you.

Your mother insisted.

NICHOLAS:
She what?

She can't do that!

ARTHUR:
With all due respect,
she's the Queen.

Which means she very
much can do that.

NICHOLAS:
[sighs]

I can't believe my own mother
hoodwinked me and then sent

someone to collect me
like the parcel post.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

Now, Prince Nicholas...

NICHOLAS:
Shhh!

Don't call me that.

ARTHUR:
I don't understand.

It's protocol to refer
to you by your title.

Do they not know that you're
the Royal Prince of...

NICHOLAS:
[loudly]
Shhhh!

Shh.

ARTHUR:
This is
highly unorthodox.

Do you mean to tell me that
the people of this town,

of this hamlet, have been
interacting with you as if

you're a-a-a common citizen?

NICHOLAS:
Would you
keep it down, Arthur!

It's a little more
nuanced than that.

ARTHUR:
Nuanced?

I don't see how.

You come from a prestigious
lineage back from the pages

of history.

Your family name has input.

[shouting]
Are you not proud to...

CASSIE:
Nicholas!

NICHOLAS:
Cassie, hey.

CASSIE:
Hey.

NICHOLAS:
Hi.

[laughing]

Great to see you again.

CASSIE:
Good to see you too.

Is everything okay?

ARTHUR:
No.

NICHOLAS:
Yea... yeah, yeah.

Just peachy.

I was just, just catching
up with my cousin, Arthur.

CASSIE:
Cousin?

You have family in town?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, yeah.

No, he just decided to meet
me here for the holidays,

right?

It's good to be with
family for Christmas.

ARTHUR:
Yes, I love
a Christmas reunion.

NICHOLAS:
That's right.

CASSIE:
It's very
nice to meet you.

ARTHUR:
Yes, hello.

CASSIE:
Uh, okay.

Well, I will expect you
later at the meeting.

Are you going to be joining?

ARTHUR:
I shan't.

We're leaving.

NICHOLAS:
Oh, he'll be there.

CASSIE:
Oh, okay, great.

Well, it's nice meeting you.

[♪♪♪]

ARTHUR:
What's this meeting?

Why are you
speaking that way?

NICHOLAS:
[sighs]

My mother sent you here on
a mission to bring me back,

right?

ARTHUR:
Yes.

NICHOLAS:
Well in order to
complete that mission,

you must do one
for me, first.

ARTHUR:
No.

NICHOLAS:
Don't tell me 'no'.

Let's go.

[♪♪♪]

[phone chiming]

CASSIE:
Hey.

ETHAN:
Cassie, the execs are
starting to get really antsy

about getting
you here on time.

CASSIE:
Yeah, I know.

I'm just, I'm dealing
with some family stuff.

If they could just give
me a couple more days.

ETHAN:
Look, I get it.

It's the holidays.

We all have family
stuff to deal with.

I mean I can put them off a
little bit longer, but we're

going to really need to
figure things out pronto.

They won't wait forever.

CASSIE:
Yeah, I know.

I know.

ETHAN:
How are those
new designs coming?

CASSIE:
Uh, they're perfect.

ETHAN:
You're the best.

Can't wait to see them.

CASSIE:
What is this?

ETHAN:
So if you can give me
an approximate idea of when

I'm gonna see them, I mean...

CASSIE:
Yeah, I'm gonna
have to call you back.

ETHAN:
Uh...

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Eleanor.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
"Dear Eleanore.

It's marvelous to see you
took your dream and

made it reality.

Your Winter Festival looks to
be everything you had

hoped and more.

Knowing you, I'm sure the
photos don't do it justice.

Perhaps one day I'll
get to see for myself.

I hope your husband and your
daughter are well and that

you all know how
truly lucky you are.

My regards at Christmas
and always, M".

Wow.

Mom got fan-mail for
the Winter Festival.

[chuckles]

I knew it was a big deal.

But who is 'M'?

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Hey, mom!

[chuckles]

I remember that photo.

That was right in the middle
of planning the second

Winter Festival.

Oh, you could not
have been busier.

But you came downstairs and
said we were going to stay in

and have hot coco, and
finally decorate our

own tree.

Even though dad said
we did not have time.

But you were not having it.

You just said that if we
can't celebrate Christmas

at home, how can we help
everyone else celebrate?

After all, Christmas...

BOTH:
Christmas
starts with us.

CASSIE:
Hey.

I really just want
to get this right.

I want to make her proud.

WALT:
Oh, honey.

It doesn't matter
what happens.

She already is.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

[chuckles]

WALT:
You know what?

I remember that day.

CASSIE:
Yeah?

[laughing]

ARTHUR:
She could
not be more irate!

NICHOLAS:
My mother is
always upset about something.

ARTHUR:
No, no.

Not like this.

She wants, no, needs you home
for the Royal Christmas Ball.

NICHOLAS:
And I told you I'm
not going until I help these

people have their festival.

ARTHUR:
How... are you
listening to yourself?

I don't think you
understand the urgency here.

NICHOLAS:
Urgency is a matter
of perspective, Arthur.

ARTHUR:
With all due respect,
your highness, but I believe

it is you who is
lacking perspective.

Some small-town gathering
pales in comparison to the

Royal Christmas Ball.

NICHOLAS:
I disagree.

ARTHUR: [shouting]
How could you possibly...

[collected]
How could
you possibly disagree?

NICHOLAS:
Because, it's significant to me.

ARTHUR:
Yes.

Right.

Well.

[clears throat]

Yes.

[sighs]

I did not want to
have to do this.

But.

There's something
you need to know.

NICHOLAS:
And what's that?

ARTHUR:
On the Christmas of
the th year of the Heir of

[indistinct], which for
you is this year, the Royal

Christmas Ball becomes a
lawful right of passage in

the form of a Christmas
Coronation, a legal event,

and official act which
secures your place

on the thrown.

Now, if you're not present on
Christmas Day to participate

in the Ceremony, then
Ancient Law dictates that

you abdicate the throne, and
the Royal Line will end,

dissolving the
monarchy forever.

NICHOLAS:
I know.

ARTHUR:
Right, which is why
it's precie... Wait, what?

What?

What do you mean?

What do you mean you know?

NICHOLAS:
I mean
I know, Arthur.

I'm the crown prince
of the entire country.

What makes you think
I wouldn't know that?

It's literally been part
of my family's history

for centuries.

ARTHUR:
But on the telephone,
you said it was, it was

another celebration,
for show.

NICHOLAS:
Isn't it?

ARTHUR:
This is not
a game, Nicholas.

NICHOLAS:
I know!

It's my life.

ARTHUR:
With all due respect,
your Highness, what is really

going on here?

Is this about that woman
that you mentioned?

The one you're working with?

NICHOLAS:
What?

No.

ARTHUR:
Because.

If it is, your mother has
already selected several

candidates from the royal
lines of neighboring nations.

All of which would make a
most amenable match

for a king-to-be.

You don't want to date
just anyone, your Highness.

NICHOLAS:
Yes.

Yes I do, Arthur.

I mean no...

I don't.

What I'm trying to say is
that that is not what

this is about.

And yet, it is exactly
what this is about.

ARTHUR:
I'm afraid I'm
not following, sir.

NICHOLAS:
Everything in my
life is decided for me,

to the extent that you're
standing here telling me that

my mother is thinking about
who I should marry without

even consulting me.

My world is dictated by
centuries old rules

and traditions.

Every decision, every step
has been part of some grand

plan decided by
someone ages ago.

I live in a me-centric world
that I actually have no

say in.

ARTHUR:
Sir...

NICHOLAS:
Let me finish, Arthur.

When I first heard about this
place and their small town

gathering, as you called it.

I saw a group of people
coming together to do

something good.

And I wanted to know if only
once, what it was like to be

part of something like that.

Rather than have everything
just be about me.

ARTHUR:
Well it's a
beautiful sentiment, sir.

The fact remains that
time is of the essence.

NICHOLAS:
Ah, now that is true.

And not just for me.

But for these people too.

When I got here and
discovered that the Festival

was no longer, I was crushed.

Until I found this one woman.

This one insufferable woman
who was trying to bring it

back for an even more
normal cause than before.

So I agreed to help her.

And the clock is
ticking for her too.

ARTHUR:
Your Highness...

NICHOLAS:
I'll make
you a deal, Arthur.

If, and only if you help me
help these people get their

festival into a workable
place before Christmas, then

and only then I will return
with you for the coronation.

ARTHUR:
Your Highness...

NICHOLAS:
If it's not
for you, that's alright.

I understand.

You'll just have to go home
and explain to my mother

why it is you passed up a
chance to save the Crown.

ARTHUR:
Do tell me how
this Winter Festival works.

NICHOLAS:
Good.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Okay.

Uh, attention.

If I could just get
everybody's attention.

Thank you.

As you know, I have gathered
you all here today to talk

about the revival of the
Winter Festival which will

then use the proceeds to
help keep the library

from closing.

Now, in past years, it has
taken months to plan this

festival dealing with food
vendors and other booth

vendors, and more!

From all over the state.

But as we've discovered, it's
just not possible this

time of year, this
close to Christmas.

MELINDA:
I knew it.

CASSIE:
But no, Nicholas came up
with the idea that maybe

we could tackle some of
these tasks ourselves.

NICHOLAS:
It's true, I did.

ARTHUR:
Shh.

CASSIE:
But then we
were defeated by a tree.

ARTHUR:
You did that as well.

NICHOLAS:
Shh.

CASSIE:
But then I
realized something.

I have been so worried about
what this festival used

to be, I am completely
missing what it could be.

WALT:
What do you mean?

CASSIE:
Think about it, Dad.

The festival is not about
fancy booths or

five star vendors.

It's about community.

Which is kind of cool,
because that means everything

and everyone that we could
possibly need to put this

on is right here.

Because ultimately
Christmas...

WALT:
Starts with us.

CASSIE:
Yes.

NICHOLAS:
Great.

I like the sounds of that,
but what does it mean?

CASSIE:
Well, it's like what you
told me at the coffee shop.

We all bring different things
to the table, and if we work

really hard we can
do this together.

[hushed mumbling]

CASSIE:
No, guys, stop!

Dad.

Think about it.

How many times have
you done this festival?

And Melinda, you
work at the library!

You have access to pretty
much everybody in the town,

and Nicholas is great at
planning, and structure, and

I am really good at creating,
and Arthur, I don't have

a clue, because we just met,
but I really could use an

extra set of hands on this.

ARTHUR:
Yes, peachy.

CASSIE:
Oh, fantastic.

So, in order to do all of
this, I need all of you,

and I cannot guarantee that it's
going to be easy,

nor is it going to be
successful, but...

[sighs]

What do you say?

NICHOLAS:
Well, you know
Arthur and I are already

on board.

WALT:
For the
library, of course.

For you, absolutely.

MELINDA:
What he said.

CASSIE:
Okay.

NICHOLAS:
Okay.

Well.

Where do we start?

CASSIE:
We probably get to
work because we've only got

days until Christmas.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
No, we're good.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Mm!

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Ta-da!

CASSIE:
[gasps]

Oh my God!

[laughing]

CASSIE:
Oh my gosh, Nicholas,
you just saved Christmas.

NICHOLAS:
Yeah.

Anything is possible at
Christmas, or when you go

three towns over.

I'll get the rest.

CASSIE:
Others?

NICHOLAS:
Oh, there's others.

Here, buddy.

[grunts]

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

♪ Christmas memories.

♪ Oh-oh-oh,
la-da-da-da-oh-oh-oh. ♪

ARTHUR:
[indistinct] was willing to
donate dozen poinsettias

to Santa's booth.

CASSIE:
Okay.

ARTHUR:
Which means I just
need a firm commitment from

the Mayor, who I swear,
has been dodging my calls.

I also got a verbal contract
from Mrs McNaulty for a dozen

of those ginger snaps, which
really are worth their

weight in gold.

CASSIE:
I told you.

gInger sn*p.

NICHOLAS:
If I didn't know
any better, I'd almost think

you're enjoying this.

ARTHUR:
Certainly not!

I'm merely doing my due
diligence in service to the...

to...

to my favorite cousin.

CASSIE:
Aww.

NICHOLAS:
Mmhmm.

[phone ringing]

NICHOLAS:
Aren't you
going to get that?

ARTHUR:
I shan't.

It's Dr Humphries, returning
my call about the

Candy Cane Park.

CASSIE:
Well that
sounds pressing.

ARTHUR:
No it's not.

It can wait.

It can't wait.

Dr Humphries, hello!

NICHOLAS:
In that case, will
you help me take a look at

these booth layouts?

I'm thinking it might be a
bit of a mistake to put a

mistletoe display...

[♪♪♪]

MARY:
Well?

REGINALD:
[sighs]

No answer, your majesty.

MARY:
That will not do,
Reginald, that will not do

at all.

REGINALD:
Christmas is less
than five days away,

your majesty.

What do you suggest?

MARY:
Well, I don't know.

You figure it out.

Soon.

[sighs]

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
I do think if we
put the candy canes next to

the snow cones and that kind
of gives us a chance to have

like a treats...

CASSIE:
No, no.

[laughing]

NICHOLAS:
No?

CASSIE:
We talked about this.

NICHOLAS:
[yawns]

Maybe you're right.

CASSIE:
You look exhausted.

I think you need a break.

NICHOLAS:
No no no.

We just finished the
decoration layout,

now we have to do the
scheduling for the...

CASSIE:
No, you need a little
fresh air, and I know the

perfect spot.

[papers crinkling]

NICHOLAS:
'Kay.

CASSIE:
[giggles]

What about that guy?

NICHOLAS:
Nah.

[sighs]

Let him sleep.

He tuckered himself out and I
think he definitely needs it.

NICHOLAS:
I'll grab our coats.

CASSIE:
Okay, I will
add to the pile.

Aw, Wintervale.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
What is this?

NICHOLAS:
You know how I told
you that I had heard about

the festival and that's
what brought me here?

CASSIE:
Yeah?

NICHOLAS:
This is how.

I found these letters in one
of my mother's old books at

our house and they had these
press clippings and these

photos, and I just, I fell
in love with the idea.

I had to see it for myself.

CASSIE:
These were
in your house?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, yeah.

Long forgotten relics of
my mother's school days.

It's unusual, I know.

But not unlikely.

Things get lost in old books
at our house all the time.

CASSIE:
No, this
is very unlikely.

NICHOLAS:
How so?

CASSIE:
Well this writing.

It's my mother's handwriting.

CASSIE:
It's crazy.

NICHOLAS:
I know, but are you
sure that it's your mother's

handwriting?

CASSIE:
It's my mother, I
grew up with her handwriting,

I would know it anywhere.

The question is how did the
letters get in your house?

NICHOLAS:
Well they're
addressed to my mother but

she's not exactly the
"keep in touch" type.

CASSIE:
Oh, so making
friends runs in the family.

NICHOLAS:
Wow!

CASSIE:
[laughing]

NICHOLAS:
No, and honestly,
she could have just put that

in some old book years ago
and forgotten about it.

She reads a lot.

CASSIE:
Does your mom
want to buy a library?

NICHOLAS:
Unfortunately
she already has one.

[laughing]

CASSIE:
I just, I
think it's amazing.

To see what she wrote
about my dad and I

in those letters?

I mean, and what are the
chances that she could write

something that could
actually bring somebody here?

Let alone somebody who's
helping with the festival?

NICHOLAS:
Maybe it
was meant to be.

CASSIE:
Maybe my mom did
pull off one final

Christmas miracle.

[ice scraping]

NICHOLAS:
Oh!

CASSIE:
Oh my God!

[laughing]

NICHOLAS:
'Kay.

Thank you, Wintervale.

CASSIE:
[laughing]

Should we?

NICHOLAS:
Let's.

CASSIE:
'Kay.

CASSIE:
This used to be my
mom's favorite

Christmas place.

She was a beautiful skater.

NICHOLAS:
You know, I really
wish I could have met her.

Sounds like a
wonderful woman.

CASSIE:
She was.

We used to skate here for
hours until you pretty much

couldn't feel
your toes anymore.

And then we would just go to
the library to warm up,

and have some of her
special hot chocolate.

NICHOLAS:
Hot chocolate?

In the library?

CASSIE:
I know,
don't tell Melinda.

Her nostalgia only goes so
far without breaking

the rules.

My mom and I used to just
read for hours, and I'm

pretty sure we looked at
every book on every shelf.

Man, I miss her.

I just, I miss having someone
who cares about all the stuff

that I do, you know?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, I
know what you mean.

Back home, Christmas
just seems like this big

formality, but it was never
what I dreamed it could be.

'Til I read your
mom's letters.

'Til I came here.

'Til I met you.

[ice scraping]

CASSIE:
Uh, Nicholas?

When I went to New York, it
was supposed to be temporary,

and you know, as much to
follow a dream but also just

kind of a chance to get away,
but they offered me a

full time position.

NICHOLAS:
You're going back?

CASSIE:
Yeah, on
Christmas Eve.

NICHOLAS:
But you're
gonna miss the festival.

CASSIE:
I know.

I want to stay here, it's
just, I'm just wondering

if this is...

NICHOLAS:
Once in a lifetime.

CASSIE:
Yeah.

NICHOLAS:
Let me ask
you something.

CASSIE:
'Kay.

NICHOLAS:
Is New York
what you want?

CASSIE:
Yeah, I... maybe.

It's what I thought I wanted,
but now I just keep thinking

what if there's something...

NICHOLAS:
Something more.

CASSIE:
Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
[laughing]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Went for it!

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Okay, so we just
got to do the booth layout,

then the decoration
layout, then...

[sighs]

Schedule performers.

[chuckles softly]

CASSIE:
[sighs]

NICHOLAS:
Cassie.

There's something
I must tell you.

You see the thing
is, that I... am...

[sighs]

Cassie!

[laughing]

You know how when we first
met, you thought I was a

royal pain in the...

Cassie.

[sighs]

I must confess to you.

That I have been withholding
confidential information.

I, Nicholas, am the Regent
and Crown Prince of Verovia.

Why yes, we all talk to
ourselves in Verovia,

thank you for noticing.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
[groans]

[tea pouring]

[teapot clinks]

MELINDA:
You don't get that
kind of community support

in NYC, eh?

CASSIE:
[laughing]

No.

Certainly don't.

MELINDA:
I love creating this
Winter Festival with you.

Just like your mother
used to with me.

Did you know?

We wanted to build it up
to help out our community.

Oh, goodness.

The dreams we had.

CASSIE:
I don't really
know that I'm that

person necessarily.

MELINDA:
What do you mean?

CASSIE:
Can I confess
something to you?

I love New York.

And... I've been
dating somebody.

And now he wants me
to move in with him.

And it's just all happening
so fast, and I just kind of

think that the world that I'm
living in out there is

his dream world.

MELINDA:
But not what you imagined.

CASSIE:
Exactly.

And all of a sudden there's
Nicholas who I barely even

know, but there is definitely
a spark, or fireworks,

or something.

MELINDA:
Good things
can take time.

Or feel like fireworks.

I remember what my
husband used to say to me.

"You can't rush something
unless it feels right".

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
He's a smart man.

Thank you, Melinda.

[♪♪♪]

WALT:
Hmm.

How's it looking?

MELINDA:
I honestly
don't even know.

I've reached out to everyone
on the library donor list.

Many people have offered to
make something or help out,

but is it enough?

WALT:
Well, we'll just
have to hope that it is.

MELINDA:
Hmm.

NICHOLAS:
Okay, but the
blankets, do the

blankets need to be...

CASSIE:
No, but what I'm
saying about the blankets is

if we give them a blanket at
the snow cone station, then

they can warm up and enjoy
hot cider before they move on

to the rest of the booths.

NICHOLAS:
That is a
wonderful suggestion.

CASSIE:
Oh, see?

NICHOLAS:
No, you're right.

We keep 'em warm,
we keep 'em longer.

CASSIE:
Did you just
say I was right?

NICHOLAS:
You're right.

CASSIE:
Oh, that is the most
business-y thing I have

heard you say yet.

NICHOLAS:
Well, I'm
slowly learning.

CASSIE:
Oh, good.

NICHOLAS:
I'm learning
slowly but surely.

MELINDA:
It's so
nice, isn't it?

WALT:
What do you mean?

MELINDA:
[giggles]

Those two don't know how
good they are for each other.

WALT:
Sometimes
Christmas changes people.

MELINDA:
You would know.

WALT:
[laughing]

CASSIE:
I don't know if the
snow cones was such

a good idea.

Like the cider makes sense.

It's freezing out.

What?

You okay?

You're not even listening?

NICHOLAS:
There's something
I want to talk to you about.

CASSIE:
Okay, what?

NICHOLAS:
[sighs]

Well, you see,
the thing is...

[phone ringing]

CASSIE:
Ah, oh
my God, hold on.

Sorry.

[sighs]

It's work, I gotta take it.

Give me a second, 'kay?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah.

Um...

[door opens]

[phone ringing]

CASSIE:
Hey.

ETHAN:
Cassie, the
executives need an answer.

And I guess I do too.

CASSIE:
Ethan, I don't know
how to say this to you.

It's not working.

It hasn't been for a long
time, and I think

we both know it.

I don't think New York is
a place that I want to

call home.

ETHAN:
Well what about everything we've
been working on?

What about our dream?

CASSIE:
Well, I kind of think
that it's your dream, Ethan.

And I don't want to
hold you back any more.

You are a great guy, and
you deserve to be happy.

ETHAN:
What about you?

Are you happy?

CASSIE:
I am, here.

ETHAN:
Well, I'd be lying if I said I
didn't see this coming.

CASSIE:
I know.

I'm so sorry.

But I will send you the
sketches and the notes, and.

You'll do fantastic.

ETHAN:
Thank you, Cassie.

And...

Merry Christmas.

CASSIE:
Merry Christmas.

[♪♪♪]

MELINDA:
Walt.

I've got it split up
like this to recognize...

ARHTUR:
[loudly] Have
either of you heard from

the florist?

It's as if she doesn't
understand that an event

needs botanicals!

WALT:
I can't
say that we have.

MELINDA:
Maybe that's Doris now?

ARTHUR:
Please tell me
you have my florals?

MARY:
Please tell
me you have my son.

ARTHUR:
Your majesty.

MARY:
Well who else would
be calling you, Arthur?

I was beginning to think
you'd forgotten about me.

ARTHUR:
Your Majesty.

You're using the telephone.

Yourself.

MARY:
Yes.

And it's a fact I'm
not very happy about.

However, desperate times
call for desperate measures.

ARTHUR:
Of course,
your Majesty.

MARY:
Where is my son?

ARTHUR:
It's complicated,
your Majesty.

Prince Nicholas committed
himself to a

Winter Festival here.

MARY:
Winter Festival?

ARTHUR:
Yes, yes, and I've
been aiding him in an effort

to bring him home to
you expeditiously.

MARY:
Arthur, I sent you
there to bring back my son.

It was a request that was
meant to be fulfilled quickly

and with urgency.

What I did not do was send
you have way across the world

to be taking part in
some small town festival!

ARTHUR:
I can explain...

MARY:
I've heard enough.

I want Nicholas home within
the next hours or his

will not be the only
job on the line.

[receiver clatters]

NICHOLAS:
Hey.

CASSIE:
Oh, hey, Nicholas.

Can I talk to
you for a second?

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, I
gotta talk to you too.

CASSIE:
No, really, I've
been meaning to tell you,

and now...

ARTHUR:
Hello.

May I talk to you?

CASSIE:
No, can we
just have one...

NICHOLAS:
Just one second...

CASSIE:
No, please.

ARTHUR:
Please.

[clears throat]

NICHOLAS:
Yeah, um.

Just give us a minute?

CASSIE:
Yeah.

ARTHUR:
So sorry.

CASSIE:
[sighs]

WALT:
Hey.

CASSIE:
Hey!

WALT:
So, you two set
aside your differences?

CASSIE:
Oh, dad.

Don't be foolish.

He is still stubborn and
completely frustrating.

But he's charming and
a little handsome.

WALT:
Well, I'm just glad
to see you smiling again.

CASSIE:
You know, I found
out something incredible

yesterday, and I cannot
believe I haven't

told you yet.

WALT:
Oh?

CASSIE:
Yeah, we were
working at Nicholas's

bed and breakfast, and he's
got these letters.

WALT:
Letters?

Well.

ARTHUR:
I told you
this would happen!

NICHOLAS:
You need to calm down.

I just need a few more days.

ARTHUR:
Yes, well we don't
have a few more days.

My job is on the line.

My family's honor
is on the line.

We have served the Crown
of Verovia for centuries.

I cannot have it end because
of someone who doesn't even

care about the throne!

NICHOLS:
I care about the throne.

It is my family's throne.

You're letting my
mother get to you.

ARTHUR:
Yes, yes, of course
I'm letting her get to me.

She could literally send
an army to retrieve us.

An army.

Is that worth it to you?

For a Christmas party?

An international
militaristic event?

NICHOLAS:
I will not
be bullied by you.

Nor my mother.

ARTHUR:
[scoffs]

WALT:
You don't give your
mother the credit she

deserves, Nicholas.

From what I understand,
she's not one to cross.

NICHOLAS:
Walt...

WALT:
Oh, I know who
you are, your Highness.

NICHOLAS:
What?

How?

WALT:
I had my suspicious
from the first time

you arrived here.

When Cassie told me about the
letters, that confirmed it.

NICHOLAS:
You know
about the letters?

WALT:
Of course I know
about the letters.

My wife sent them to
her friend from school.

Your mother.

Eleanore spent a lot of
her student days abroad.

NICHOLAS:
Why have I
never heard about this?

WALT:
They were quite
close for a while.

But your mother's commitment
to state and country soon

became all-encompassing.

Eventually, the
letters home stopped.

NICHOLAS:
I'm sorry.

WALT:
I just mentioned to
Cassie the other day that

life has a way of
marching forward.

[chuckles]

Why didn't you tell
us who you were?

NICHOLAS:
Everything in my
life is dictated by the title

in front of my name.

I wanted to do something once
that was not about me,

not Nicholas, Crown Prince and
Royal Regent of Verovia.

WALT:
But that's who
you are, Nicholas.

CASSIE:
Oh, there she is.

Hey, where is everyone?

MELINDA:
Oh, they
just went outside.

CASSIE:
Oh.

WALT:
When Mary disappeared
from Eleanor's life,

she was hurt.

The bond I see building
between you and Cassie is

more than friendship.

And I don't want you to hurt
her when you eventually

do the things that
you have to do.

NICHOLAS:
Do you
think me that shallow?

WALT:
Not at all.

But I also know that there's
things put upon you by

other people that are
beyond yourself.

NICHOLAS:
Yes, there are.

And perhaps it is the demands
of those people that should

be taken into consideration.

It sounds like my mother
sacrificed the solace of

perhaps the only real
friendship that she ever had

so that she could ensure
the solace of many.

Now I am sorry that
Cassie's mother was hurt.

But the responsibilities of
the crown are more than

mere feelings.

The details of my life
and my position are very

complicated.

I'm sorry that I wasn't
forthcoming with you

or your daughter, but...

Everything I do must be
given careful consideration.

I am a prince.

CASSIE:
You hid this from us?

NICHOLAS:
I didn't know how
to tell you who I really was.

CASSIE:
So you lied.

NICHOLAS:
Cassie.

CASSIE:
You knew what the
Winter Festival meant to me.

You knew what the letters
meant to me, you knew about

my job in New York.

You just watched me struggle.

No, you used me.

You used all of us.

For what?

Some weird experiment on what
it's like to be

some kind of commoner?

You are not the person
I thought you were.

NICHOLAS:
Cassie, wait.

[door slams]

NICHOLAS:
Cassie, wait.

Cassie.

Cassie, wait!

Cassie!

Wait!

CASSIE:
Okay, look, your
Highness, I am not one of

your subjects that you
can just boss around!

Tradition has always
been so important to me.

Look at you.

You've got a family where
tradition is something that

most people could
only dream of.

You're just throwing it away.

NICHOLAS:
That's not fair.

CASSIE:
All I've been trying
to do is preserve the

history of my family,
and of this entire town.

Both of which you are
no longer a part of.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
If that's
how you really feel.

CASSIE:
I do.

You should go.

[♪♪♪]

[snow crunches]

[♪♪♪]

[footsteps]

CASSIE:
[gasping]

[door slams]

[papers rustle]

WALT:
Cassie.

Dear.

CASSIE:
We have so much left to do
and I don't even know

if we're gonna
get it all done.

WALT:
Why didn't you tell me
about that job in New York?

It's something you should
celebrate, not keep secret.

CASSIE:
It doesn't matter,
Dad, because I'm not

going back.

WALT:
Why not?

CASSIE:
I don't know.

I just thought that if I did
then that means that entire

chapter of my life
and mom is gone.

You know how sometimes you
just need to leave to realize

that everything you could
have possibly wanted is right

there in front of you?

WALT:
Just because something
ends, it doesn't mean

it has to leave your heart.

In fact, what you've done
here, what you and Nicholas

did, you've proved that you
can take a memory and

turn it into something
new and beautiful.

CASSIE:
Yeah, right.

WALT:
Have you tried
talking to him?

CASSIE:
He didn't do it
for the right reasons, dad.

WALT:
Maybe Nicholas
wasn't forthcoming.

But think of all the
reasons why he was here?

He spent time here.

He was excited to help you
get all this going when

no one else would step up.

That was real.

CASSIE:
Yeah well.

Gone now.

WALT:
Oh, honey.

[pats]

[footsteps]

REGINALD:
Your Majesty,
presenting his Royal Highness,

Prince Nicholas.

MARY:
[sighs]

You're finally home.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
Good morning!

WALT:
Hey!

I just talked to Melinda, and
the last of the booths

are getting set up in
the library area.

Would you like some coffee?

CASSIE:
Yes, thank you.

I'm so tired.

WALT:
Well, I bet
you are, honey.

You've been up for
two days straight.

[chuckles]

But!

Look what you have done.

CASSIE:
Oh.

Big shoes to fill.

Mmm.

WALT:
Every new tradition
starts with a good breakfast.

CASSIE:
I'm pretty sure
you just made that up.

WALT:
I did.

CASSIE:
Okay.

[giggles]

WALT:
You grab a seat.

I'm going to dish you up
some of Walt's Special here.

CASSIE:
Yes!

WALT:
Famous scrambled eggs.

CASSIE:
Okay.

[giggles]

MARY:
Nicholas.

I've picked a couple of
options for the ceremony

tomorrow.

I just, I can't decide,
because they're so different.

NICHOLAS:
Whatever you
think is best, mother.

MARY:
That'll be
all, Reginald.

Tell me.

Are you still thinking about
that town and those people?

NICHOLAS:
How could I not?

MARY:
I know you think I
don't understand why you went

on your escapade but I do.

Maybe even too well.

Sit.

NICHOLAS:
[sighs]

MARY:
You see.

When I was young, my
friends would come back from

Christmas Break and they
would tell me all these

marvelous stories
of family and food.

Fun.

And don't get me wrong.

It's not that your
grandfather didn't provide

all those things.

But it was understood, as
with everything we did,

that ceremony came first.

NICHOLAS:
Family
trait, I see.

MARY:
There was a part of me
that wanted to have one of

those Christmases.

Where I got to wear cosy
pajamas and eat too much.

Not have to worry about
galas and presentation.

I think that's why Eleanore
sent me all those letters.

It's like she knew deep down
that I needed those stories.

NICHOLAS:
So why didn't
you make that happen

for yourself?

MARY:
Mmm.

Traditions are very
hard to break, Nicholas.

And they also make
us who we are.

NICHOLAS:
But do you ever
regret not keeping in touch

with Cassie's mother?

MARY:
Oh.

Of course I do.

She was a very good friend.

Outside of your father, she
was the only one who saw me

for me instead of a
princess or a queen.

Very dear friend indeed.

But that was a
very long time ago.

We came from
different worlds.

And I understood and
respected what Eleanore did

for her family and her
friends and her town.

And she understood what
I needed to do for mine.

NICHOLAS:
But...

It's sad though,
don't you think?

Letting protocol and rules
dictate how things have to be?

MARY:
No, no darling.

You mustn't think
of it that way.

We still have
our celebrations.

I mean this is a
very joyous time.

It's just that they have
their Christmas,

and we have ours.

NICHOLAS:
Well, that's
where you're wrong, mother.

MARY:
Now so?

NICHOLAS:
Because if I've
learned anything from that

town and those people it's
that Christmas starts

with us.

And I think it's time we
both put that into effect.

[♪♪♪]

[snow crunching]

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

Hey, hey Blaze!

Oh, Dad.

They're busy.

WALT:
I know.

MADISON:
This looks amazing.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

MAN:
You guys
did a great job.

CASSIE:
No, we all
did a great job.

Everybody.

I'll get him out
of here for you.

WALT:
Merry Christmas, you guys.

CASSIE:
Merry Christmas.

Oh, those lanterns
look fantastic.

WALT:
I know, they're great.

Oh, folks have really
knocked themselves out.

CASSIE:
Uh-oh.

WALT:
Oh, popcorn!

CASSIE:
[laughing]

WOMAN:
Saved you
your favorite!

WALT:
Thank you
very much, sweetie!

WOMAN:
Merry Christmas,
you guys!

WALT:
You too.

Bye bye.

CASSIE:
I cannot believe
that this is happening.

WALT:
Well it's
happening because of you.

CASSIE:
No, it's happening
because of everyone.

I mean I had the initial
idea, but it's because

everybody's
chipping in, right?

Can I ask you a question?

WALT:
sh**t.

CASSIE:
What do you think
Mom would have thought of

all this?

WALT:
Oh, sweetie, Mom
would have been proud.

You bet she'd
have been proud.

Oh, I know.

Oh, look at this booth!

CASSIE:
I know,
isn't it great?

WALT:
It sure is.

MELINDA:
Hi!

WALT:
Hi, Melinda.

MELINDA:
Oh, hi, Walt.

Cassie.

WOMAN:
Holiday Latte?

It's been our best seller.

CASSIE:
Ooh.

MELINDA:
Oh, it's Christmas.

Let's live a little.

I think it's far enough
away from the books.

CASSIE:
[chuckles]

How's it going?

MELINDA:
Oh, too
soon to tell.

But even if it's not enough
to save the library,

it is worth it.

CASSIE:
It has to.

MELINDA:
You tried,
and did this for us.

That in itself is a
Christmas miracle.

And the whole town
will never forget it.

CASSIE:
Thank you.

Thank you.

MELINDA:
Mmhmm.

CASSIE:
Okay.

WALT:
That's sweet, Melinda.

We'll talk to
you later, okay?

MELINDA:
Okay.

WALT:
Okay, bye-bye.

MELINDA:
[giggles]

WALT:
Oh, this is great.

[♪♪♪]

MARY:
I hate to interrupt,
but I do believe that letter

belongs to me.

CASSIE:
Who are you?

NICHOLAS:
This is Queen Mary.

Sovereign Ruler and
Royal Regent of Verovia.

My mother.

[♪♪♪]

CASSIE:
I'm sorry.

NICHOLAS:
I'm sorry too.

MARY:
Alright.

CASSIE:
Sorry.

[clears throat]

Do I curtsy?

NICHOLAS:
No no no.

CASSIE:
Okay well I've
never met a queen before.

Okay.

Are one of you going to
tell me what is going on?

NICHOLAS:
Walk with me?

CASSIE:
Um...

MARY:
Yes, thank you.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
The way
we left things.

I simply couldn't bare it
if that's how things ended

between us.

CASSIE:
No, Nicholas.

The way I spoke to you was
completely out of line.

NICHOLAS:
I was out of line
for not being completely

honest with you.

CASSIE:
Well no.

You were a stranger and you
worked day and night to give

us a truly magical Christmas.

NICHOLAS:
Once I met you,
I realized what was

truly important.

CASSIE:
That's what Christmas is.

It's not about doing
what's always been done.

It's about people
coming together.

NICHOLAS:
Yes.

Yes, and being here with you,
with all of you, I've seen

the Christmas I've
always dreamed of.

CASSIE:
Thank you,
for coming back.

NICHOLAS:
I had to.

I had to be here with
you for Christmas.

Even if it was just this
once before I became king

and before you go back to
your life in New York.

CASSIE:
I'm not going
back to New York.

NICHOLAS:
You're not?

CASSIE:
No.

I'm going to stay here and
I'm going to build my mom's

legacy, and I'm gonna work on
traditions in the community

that I love.

NICHOLAS:
Cassie, that's...

CASSIE:
No, it's great,
because think about it.

The Festival's not
gonna run itself.

What about your coronation?

And your crown?

MARY:
That's where I come in.

You see, upon his return to
Verovia, my son reminded me

that sometimes we get so set
in our ways that we forget

what is truly important.

And then it made me think of
a very dear friend of mine

who once told me that
Christmas wasn't so much

about a place, but a feeling,
and those you share that

feeling with.

So as Ruler of Verovia, I am
exercising my powers and I'm

going to have the coronation
right here in this town

with all of you.

CASSIE:
You can do that?

MARY:
Yes I can.

Now.

Prince Nicholas,
kneel before me.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
Wait, mother.

I came here to find
a special Christmas.

But what I found
was a special place.

And a special woman.

I grew up with a kingdom.

But it took coming here to
know what it was like to

build one.

This town.

This woman.

They have my heart.

And I know I have much to do
at home, but I have so much

to do here as well.

MARY:
Nicholas.

What are you saying?

NICHOLAS:
I would like...

I would like to stay.

If you'll have me.

CASSIE:
Of course.

Yeah.

MARY:
As your mother,
I understand.

I really do.

But as your Queen, I must
remind you of your duties and

commitment not just to the
Crown but to your people.

NICHOLAS:
But how can I
fulfill a commitment to an

entire nation if I can't
even fulfill a commitment

to myself?

MARY:
I see.

The Royal Law dictates that a
coronation must take place

in order to maintain
the monarchy.

NICHOLAS:
But, Mother...

MARY:
But there is nothing
that says you must begin your

reign immediately.

NICHOLAS:
I don't understand.

MARY:
Plenty of monarchs
have left the kingdoms in the

capable hands of others while
tending to matters abroad.

REGINALD:
I believe the
perfect candidate is standing

right before you, sir.

NICHOLAS:
Mother, you
would do that for me?

MARY:
[chuckles]

Oh, my son.

Kneel before me.

NICHOLAS:
[clears throat]

MARY:
On this day, when
celebration rings out across

all the lands, and the end
of the year makes way for the

dawn of another, I declare by
the powers invested in me by

Crown and State, that
you rise into a new era.

King of Verovia.

[♪♪♪]

NICHOLAS:
And my first order
of business, reinstating you

to the thrown in my stead.

MARY:
[laughing]

Already making such wise
decisions, King Nicholas.

Oh, but you are going to need
a Head of Affairs here to

advise and keep you abreast
of all important matters,

so I...

NICHOLAS:
If I may.

My Head of Affairs must be
someone who has given their

very heart to Verovia and
its crown, and someone who

travelled across the
world to save it.

Someone who has done his due
diligence for Her Majesty.

Someone who has
become a great friend.

Arthur.

ARTHUR:
Me?

MARY:
A bold... and
noble choice.

NICHOLAS:
What do
you say, Arthur?

Stay abroad with me and plan
another festival or two?

ARTHUR:
I... Thank you.

MELINDA:
I can't believe it,
oh I simply can't believe it!

Oh!

Oh, uh, your Majesty.

CASSIE:
Melinda.

MELINDA:
There are so many
people here,

they're coming in droves.

No, we have to finish the
final tally, but if the sales

keep going the way they are,
we should have more than

enough to save the library!

MARY:
Oh, well that's
absolutely wonderful.

I'm happy for all
of you, truly.

MELINDA:
Oh, yes, thank you.

Bye!

[laughing]

MARY:
Oh.

CASSIE:
I don't even
know what is happening.

MARY:
You know, I would love
to tell you all

about your mother.

When she and I were young
and, oh, full of adventure.

Just like you.

CASSIE:
I would love that.

I just wish she
was hear to see it.

WALT:
Cassie, dear, you bring
out the best in everybody

and everything.

Just like your mother.

MARY:
Well, you must be Walt.

WALT:
Elsie told me
so much about you.

It always felt
like a fairy tale.

MARY:
Well, clearly she found
her own fairy tale here with

you, and this charming town.

WALT:
Let me show you some
of Ellie that you

don't know about.

Some of her life that she
created here, and the world

that we built.

If you would do
me the honour?

MARY:
Oh, yes, I will.

[♪♪♪]

WALT:
Do you like popcorn?

MARY:
I've not tried it.

WALT:
Well.

[chuckles]

You're in for a treat.

[♪♪♪]

[footsteps]

CASSIE:
I can't believe
that you're here.

Well, it just feels like a
fairy tale I used to read

about in my books, and I just
never thought that

it would come true.

Just...

You can't stay away
from Verovia forever.

NICHOLAS:
Well, we can stay
away as long as we like.

You heard my mother.

She's had some
practice at this.

Verovia is in
very good hands.

Besides.

You and I have future
festivals to plan.

CASSIE:
Really?

For someone who
overthinks things,

that a lot of planning.

NICHOLAS:
Well, we'll need
someone who leads with their

heart and not their mind
to be my future Queen.

CASSIE:
Queen?

[♪♪♪]